Shelving merchandising system

ABSTRACT

A shelving merchandising system for installation on preexisting shelves comprising an extrusion, wherein said extrusion comprises an attachment member, a display front and a plurality of connection members. The attachment member may be any device or combination of cooperating devices that are capable of either permanently or removably attaching the extrusion to at least a portion of a shelf.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application60/796,759, filed on May 1, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system for providing an easy-to-install,cost-effective means of transforming store displays and consumerinterfaces into a consistently friendly, uncluttered, comprehensible,information rich and functionally superior merchandising platforms.

More particularly, the invention relates to a structure that can be usedon new shelving displays or to update preexisting shelving displays, toenhance and organize the displays for an improved consumer interface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Big box stores (e.g., The Home Depot®, Lowe's®, Wal-Mart®, Target® andother such stores) use Gondola and Industrial Rack shelving systems todisplay and store various types of product. Gondola system shelves aretypically attached to, and cantilevered off of, a supporting backplanewhich is vertically stabilized at its base. Industrial Rack systemshelves are attached to, and supported at, their two rear corners.

In addition to storing and displaying the for-sale product, thetraditional shelves attempt to enhance the look and appeal of theproduct by various methods including organizing the product andattaching “take-ones” (i.e., a device holding informational pamphlets ordiscount coupons) near the product. Some shelves have SKU labels andprices adhered directly on the front edge of a Gondola shelf or frontface of the supporting beam of an Industrial Rack system in order to tryto assist the customer in making an informed decision.

These traditional shelves have become commonplace in such stores, and itis not uncommon for them to become highly disorganized as customers wadethrough the various products on the shelves. This causes the product tobe presented in a chaotic manner which is unsightly and potentiallydisorienting to future customers, thus resulting in lessened sales.Furthermore, many store shelves are made of wire with front faces thatpartially obscure the informational SKU labels and other promotionalelements. The take-ones are also usually haphazardly positioned, thusobscuring SKU labels or the product itself. It is not uncommon for thetake-one devices to become partially or fully detached from theirmounting positions.

Additionally, certain product lines come in a vast array of options andare confusing to the customer. In the traditional shelving system,customers are not educated and are at a loss as to which option wouldsuit their particular needs. This problem is exacerbated by the absenceof knowledgeable store personnel.

These problems have caused stores to realize, via consumer feedback,consumers' growing sense of general dissatisfaction with general storeconditions.

For these reasons, it is desirable to utilize a new shelving system thatwould eliminate these problems while being easy and cost-effective toinstall over the existing shelving framework.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve shelvingdisplays in big box stores as well as other stores.

It is another object of the present invention to create a consistentmerchandising system.

It is a further object of the present invention to improve readabilityof SKU labels and product packaging graphics.

It is an even further object of the present invention to increase theeffectiveness of take-one devices.

It is a further object of the present invention to assist customers indistinguishing between options in complex product lines.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to increase generalconsumer satisfaction with store conditions.

It is an even further object of the present invention to meet theseobjectives in an efficient and economical manner.

It is still further an object of the present invention to efficientlyutilize vertical supports for efficient display of product.

These and further objects are achieved by the present invention,directed to a shelving merchandising system for installation onpreexisting shelves comprising an extrusion, wherein said extrusioncomprises an attachment member, a display front and a plurality ofconnection members. The attachment member may be any device orcombination of cooperating devices that are capable of eitherpermanently or removably attaching the extrusion to at least a portionof a shelf.

For example, the extrusion can be attached to Industrial Rack shelving,an example of which comprises vertical supports at the corners, a beamat the front edge of the shelf and wire or solid shelving supportedthereby, using any known means, including wire, cable ties, straps,belts, screws, bolts, clamps, inserts, clips, snaps, channels, hook andloop fasteners, double sided tape, adhesives, brackets, magnets and thelike. Similarly, any device or combination of devices can be used toattach the extrusion, to Gondola shelving, preferably being an insertthat can engage the holes generally found at the front portion ofGondola shelves.

When a bracket is used as the attachment member, it can be secured tothe shelf or beam generally using any suitable permanent or removabledevice or combination of devices as could be used for securing theextrusion to the shelf or beam, as described above. One preferredbracket for engagement of a beam of the shelves, however, the attachmentmember further comprises a securing member including a back stabilizer,a front stabilizer, a hole in a length and a shim, adapted such that atleast a portion of said shim is received by said hole, said lengthconnecting the back stabilizer and the front face with the frontstabilizer extending from the length adjacent the hole.

Similarly, the extrusion can be attached to the bracket using any knownmeans, including a channel for receiving at least a portion of thebracket, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, catches, clasps, clips, hooksand corresponding receptacles, adhesives, double sided tape and thelike, or the bracket can be formed integrally with the extrusion. In apreferred embodiment, however, a channel on the extrusion may be used toremovably receive at least a portion of the bracket.

Most preferably, however, the extrusion is attached to the shelf, orbeam front forming part of the shelf, without an attachment member otherthan a bracket. In this preferred embodiment, the extrusion preferablyincludes a continuous trough or stand-off extending from the rear of theextrusion to rest against the face of the shelf or beam to which theextrusion is to be mounted. A screw is then driven through the rear wallof the extrusion and into the surface of the shelf or beam to which theextrusion is being mounted.

In another preferred embodiment, the extrusion is mounted to Gondolasystem shelves as described above using an integral bracket whichextends out from the extrusion and parallel with the top surface of theGondola shelf to which it is being attached. The integral bracket of theextrusion is secured to the shelf with the insertion of a securingmember such as a push-in mechanical fastener inserted into holes in theextrusion bracket and through corresponding holes in the front portionof a typical Gondola shelf.

The plurality of connection members of the extrusion provide a varietyof options for enhancing consumer interface, most notably providing adisplay front for displaying information about the item on thecorresponding shelf. The extrusion also preferably includes hooks at oneor both of the top and bottom, channels, recesses, clips, shelves,clasps, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, etc. to retain additionalextrusion components such as secondary display fronts, divider panels,bins, merchandising prongs, mounting blocks with or without a clear lensto display an item, holding racks for take-one information, informationspirals for presenting information to the consumer, etc. In this regard,the connection members provide that the extrusion can be adapted to avariety of forms that make it a universal, efficient and visuallyappealing consumer interface.

Additionally, the present invention contemplates a vertical columnfixture having a vertical shaft with a width approximately the same as avertical support column of the existing Industrial Rack shelf system orat the ends of existing Gondola shelves. The preferred vertical columnfixture includes a single front face and/or two side angled facesattached to the vertical shaft at converging angles of equal to or lessthan 90°. Most preferably, a front face is attached to the two sideangled faces at an angle equal to or greater than 90°, with the frontface being substantially parallel to the preexisting vertical supportcolumn. The angled and front faces preferably include a plurality ofholes on each for accepting prongs, clips, snaps, hooks, catches or thelike on which product may be hung. The back of the vertical shaftpreferably includes one or more support hooks for removably mounting thevertical column fixture on a vertical support column.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The attached drawings are intended to better illustrate the presentinvention without limiting it in any manner whatsoever.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the bracket of the invention positioned ona beam.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bracket of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial side elevation of the bracket of the inventioninstalled on a beam with the shim inserted.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bracket with an extrusion installedover wired shelving.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an extrusioninstalled over wired shelving.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the extrusion ofthe invention.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of a second preferred embodiment of theextrusion of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of a third preferred embodiment of theextrusion of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the extrusionthat does not utilize a bracket but is instead attached directly to thefront of the beam.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of theextrusion that does not utilize a bracket but is instead attacheddirectly to the top of the beam. FIG. 10B is a side elevation of thepreferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the bracket with an extrusion of theinvention installed over wire shelving and further having divider panelsinstalled thereon.

FIG. 11B is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the extrusionfor use with divider panels.

FIG. 11C is a perspective view of a divider panel and extrusion in apreferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12A is a side elevation of a fourth preferred embodiment of anextrusion of the present invention in a closed configuration.

FIG. 12B is a side elevation of the fourth preferred embodiment of anextrusion of the present invention shown in FIG. 12A in an openconfiguration.

FIG. 12C is a side elevation of the fourth preferred embodiment of anextrusion of the present invention shown in FIG. 12A having amerchandising prong installed thereon.

FIG. 12D is a side elevation of the fourth preferred embodiment of anextrusion of the present invention shown in FIG. 12A with a blind hangerhook installed thereon.

FIG. 13 is a side elevation of a take one device installed over anextrusion.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective of a preferred embodiment of theinvention with a clear lens for displaying a product for sale.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a product bin for use with the presentinvention.

FIG. 16 is a front elevation of a side-mounted sign that can be usedwith the extrusions of the present invention.

FIG. 17A is a partial perspective view of the vertical support column ofthe prior art shelving for use with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 17B is a partial perspective view of a vertical column fixture ofthe invention.

FIG. 17C is a plan view of the vertical column fixture of the invention.

FIG. 17D is a side elevation of a prong that can be used with thevertical column fixture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The following description of preferred embodiments is presented todescribe the present invention and is not to be construed to limit thescope of the appended claims in any manner whatsoever.

As more fully set forth herein, the present invention is directed to ashelving merchandising system for installation on preexisting shelvescomprising an extrusion, wherein said extrusion comprises an attachmentmember, a display front and a plurality of connection members. Theattachment member may be any device or combination of cooperatingdevices that are capable of either permanently or removably attachingthe extrusion to at least a portion of a shelf or shelf beam. Theconnection members can be any of a variety of members that provide aconnection to another element to be held by the extrusion.

Numerous embodiments are envisioned, limited solely by the appendedclaims, the following are some of the preferred embodiments presentlycontemplated for use on a shelving system having one or more shelves.Although the present invention is adaptable to virtually any type ofcommercial shelving system, it will described herein for attachment towhat may presently be the most popular systems being used in “big box”stores, Industrial Rack and Gondola shelving.

As briefly described above, Industrial Rack shelving generally includesa front beam at a front portion of one or more of said shelves. In onepreferred embodiment, the extrusion is removably attached to the beamusing one or more brackets, wherein said bracket comprises engagement ofa beam of the shelves and a front face. Also in the preferredembodiment, the extrusion comprises means for removable attachment ofthe extrusion to the bracket as well as connection members capable ofremovably coupling extrusion components.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this preferred bracket (12) of thepresent invention includes a front face (15) associated with the frontof the length (16) of the bracket (12) at a front location (19), wherethe connection between the length (16) and the front face (15) can befixed or hinged. A back stabilizer (13) is associated with the length(16) at a back location (18) on the bracket (12). A hole (20, best seenin FIG. 2) is situated in the plane of the length (16). On the bottom ofthe length (16), between the hole (20) and the front face (15), is afront stabilizer (14).

A shim (17) is provided to fit snugly into the hole (20) on the length(16). When the bracket (12) is placed over a preexisting shelving beam(11), the shim (17) is placed into the hole (20) in order to secure thebracket (12) to the beam (11). The shim (17) acts as a wedge between thebeam and the front stabilizer (14) to create pressure against the backstabilizer (13).

As best shown in FIG. 3, the shim (17) is inserted through the hole (20)located in the length (16). The shim (17) becomes wedged between thefront stabilizer (14) and the shelving beam (11) to hold the bracket(12) securely to the shelving beam (11).

The preferred bracket and shim can be formed out of any suitablematerial, including plastics, resins, metals, alloys, etc., although thepreferred embodiment of both the bracket (12) and the shim (17) areformed out of a high quality, durable plastic. Similarly, the bracket(12) and shim (17) can be of any size desired to fit onto variousshelving components, depending, for example, on the depth of the fronthorizontal crossbar of the shelving. The shim (17) can be any desiredshape, as long as it fits snugly into the hole (20) and holds thebracket (12) in place on the shelving beam (11).

As best shown in FIG. 4, the bracket (12) is placed onto the beam (11)and over the preexisting wire shelving (21). An extrusion (23) isinstalled by attaching it to the front face (15) of the bracket (12).Although any suitable means for attaching the extrusion (23) to thebracket (12) may be used, including a channel for receiving the frontface, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, catches, clasps, hooks andcorresponding receptacles, screws, bolts, adhesives and the like,channels in which the front face (15) of the bracket (12) slide are apreferred embodiment.

As best shown in FIG. 5, the bracket (12) can be placed over the wireshelving (21) and secured to the beam (11) via one or more screws (17′)that go through the top of the bracket (12) and into the beam (11).While a screw is a preferred means of attaching the bracket (12) to thebeam (11) in this embodiment, other suitable means for attaching thebracket (12) to the beam (11) may also be used, for example, nails,snaps, catches, clasps, hooks and corresponding receptacles, bolts,adhesives and the like.

More particularly, as best shown in FIG. 6, the extrusion (23) ispreferably installed on the front face of the bracket (15) with the flatface (51) of the extrusion (23) in contact with the front face (15) ofthe bracket (12). In its most preferred embodiment, two face grippingelements (52) form a channel adjacent the flat face (51) for acceptingthe front face (15) of the bracket (12). Once the extrusion (23) isplaced onto the front face (15) of the bracket (12) against the flatface (51), with the top and bottom of the front face (15) being engagedby the channel formed by the two face gripping elements (52), it can beangled or opened as needed, at the flexible hinge (53).

In its preferred embodiment, the hinge (53) can be formed to drop backto vertical or remain at whatever angle it is positioned. When aflexible hinge (53) is used with the extrusion (23), a stop (60) ispreferably used to maintain the display front (55) in a secure andproper orientation relative to the front face (15) of the bracket (12).

The extrusion (23) is also preferably provided with a top hook (54) anda bottom hook (57), each of which may be used to retain a cooperatingelement (not shown). For example, the top hook (54) is suitable forholding cooperative elements such as a spiral flip book that can containproduct information and specifications. Similarly, the bottom hook (57)is suitable for holding cooperative elements such as a displayextension, where an additional display front is provided below the maindisplay front (55) of the extrusion (23). A catch (54A and 57A) ispreferably used for secure retention of the cooperating element. Itemsplaced in either the top hook (54) or bottom hook (57) can be simplyremoved by pressing down on the edge of the hook so that the catch (54Aor 57A) releases the cooperating element.

In the extrusion (23) shown in FIG. 6, a holding rack (58) is providedon the extrusion (23) for holding informational or promotional items bypositioning the items between the two rack gripping elements (59) whichform a channel adjacent the holding rack (58). A back lip (50) isprovided for hanging additional items, or for placing additional items(such as take-one brochures), as well as for providing support againstthe shelving beam (11). Informational displays and other attachments(discussed below) may be installed on the display front (55).Preferably, the displays and/or attachments are held in place via twodisplay gripping elements (56) forming a channel adjacent the displayfront (55), however, snaps, Velcro, clips, adhesives, etc. may be usedas well.

As best shown in FIG. 7, another preferred embodiment of the extrusion(23′) has a means for attachment between the front face (15) of thebracket (12) and a flat face (61) on the extrusion (23′). The front face(15) may also be fitted onto the flat face (61) of the extrusion (23′)using any suitable means, however, preferred are two face grippingelements (62) forming a channel adjacent the flat face (61). Once theextrusion (23′) is placed onto the front face (15) of the bracket (12)by attachment to the flat face (61), it can be angled as needed at theflexible hinge (63) to see information behind the display face (65), orthe hinge (63) can be designed to remain at whatever angle it ispositioned. A stop (70) is preferably used to maintain the verticalposition of the hinge (63).

The extrusion (23′) may likewise be provided with a top hook (64) and abottom hook (67), which can be used to mount cooperative elementsretained via a catch (64A and 67A). Items placed in either the top hook(64) or bottom hook (67) can be simply removed by pressing down on theedge of the hook to release the catches (64A and 67A). Informationaldisplays and other attachments (discussed below) are preferably placedon the display front (65) using two display gripping elements (66) thatform a channel adjacent the display front (65).

A third preferred embodiment of the extrusion (23″) is shown in FIG. 8,including similar means for attachment of the front face (15) of thebracket (12) to a flat face (71) on the extrusion (23″). The front face(15) may also be fitted onto the flat face (71) of the extrusion (23″)using any suitable means, however, preferred are two face grippingelements (72) that form a channel for receiving the front face (15) ofthe bracket (12). Unlike the previous two embodiments, this thirdpreferred embodiment is not equipped with a flexible hinge. Theextrusion (23″) is, however, preferably provided with a top hook (74)and a bottom hook (77), each of which may be used to hold cooperativeelements as discussed above. The cooperating elements are similarly heldsecurely with a catch (74A and 77A), and can be simply removed bypressing down on the edge of the hook to release the catch (74A or 77A).As with the embodiments discussed above, informational displays andother attachments may be placed on or into the display front (75),preferably being held in place via two display gripping elements (76)forming a channel adjacent the display front (75). In this embodiment,thicker informational displays and/or other attachments may be placed onthe display front (75) using two additional display gripping elements(78) forming a thicker channel adjacent the display front (75).

These and other embodiments of the extrusion (23) can be formed out ofany suitable material, along with the cooperative interchangeableelements, although the preferred embodiments are formed out of a highquality, durable plastic. All embodiments of the extrusion can be formedin any desired length to fit any length of shelving. Additionally, anyembodiment of an extrusion is intended to be able to comprise anycombination of a plurality of connection members, including hooks,channels, clips, clamps, snaps, grips, or other attachments andvariations described in the specification, depicted in the figuresand/or known in the art.

It is also possible, and sometimes desirable, to use an extrusion (23)without using a bracket. In certain aisles of a store, there may be apeg board or channeled board for attaching merchandising rods on whichproduct can be placed, for example by hanging paintbrushes on themerchandising rods through a hole in the handle of the paint brush.Generally, the prior art merchandising rods include SKU label platesheld at the end of rods to advertise price, size, etc. of the hangingproduct. In such circumstances, the extrusions (23) of the presentinvention can be used to upgrade the SKU label plates of themerchandising rods by simply treating the SKU plate labels as the frontface of the bracket (15) and attaching the extrusion (23) over the flatface (51, 61 or 71) to the SKU label plates. The face gripping elements(52, 62 or 72) then grip the SKU label plates.

Another embodiment of the extrusion (23) including an attachment membercomprising a screw (150) for attaching the extrusion (23) directly tothe shelf is best shown in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the extrusion(23″″) fits over the wire shelving (21) but is attached directly to thebeam (11). In the embodiment shown, a trough (148) is located on theback of the extrusion (23″″) in which a screw is inserted to attach theextrusion (23) to the shelf while creating a space for the end of thewire shelving to fit behind the extrusion (23). Thus, this embodimentallows for the extrusion (23″″) to be flush with the preexisting beam,thereby saving space. Although it is preferred that a screw (150) attachthe extrusion (23″″) to the beam (11), any suitable means attachmentmember may be used. For example, nails, snaps, catches, clasps, hooksand corresponding receptacles, bolts, adhesives and the like may be usedas long as they provide a permanent or removable attachment.

Yet another embodiment of the extrusion (23), shown in FIGS. 10A and10B, an integral bracket (12) is used as part of the attachment member.In this embodiment, the extrusion (23 ^(vi)), is provided with anintegral bracket (168) that can be located in any suitable position onthe extrusion (23 ^(vi)). The integral bracket (168) is placed over thepreexisting Gondola shelving (21′) and a screw (170) is driven through ahole (172) in the attachment leg (168) and secured to the Gondolashelving (21′) via a hole (174) in the Gondola shelving (21′).Alternatively, the attachment leg (168) can be attached to the Gondolashelving (21′) by any other means of attachment (176), most preferably,double-sided tape.

In another alternative, as best shown in FIG. 11A, divider panels (80)can be installed on the shelving (21) as a cooperative element to theextrusion (23). Once the bracket (12) is installed on a shelving beam(11) having an associated shelving (21), and an extrusion (23) isattached to the bracket (12), divider panels (80) can be installed onthe shelving (21) by attachment to the extrusion (23).

In the preferred embodiment, the divider panels (80) have mountinginserts (not shown) that fit into the hooks (54, 64 or 74) by placingthe inserts of the divider panels (80) into desired points (81) alongthe extrusion (23). The divider panels (80) can be spaced apart fromeach other in order to accommodate any product being shelved, forexample cans of spray paint of different colors separated by dividerpanels (80). A number of divider panels (80) can be installed on thewire shelving (21) and serve to keep product organized. The dividerpanels (80) can easily be attached to and removed from the extrusion(23), or slid along the extrusion (23) in order to widen or narrow thespace between adjacent divider panels (80) to accommodate differentsized products.

The divider panels (80) are preferably formed from a hard, durableplastic but they can be formed of any suitable material. They can be ofany height and length desired to accommodate different side productsbetween adjacent shelves of the preexisting shelving.

In the embodiment of the extrusion (23) shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C, theextrusion (23) utilizes, among others, an upwardly facing U-channel(154) for connecting divider panels (80) to the extrusion (23′″″).Preferably, the U-channels (154) are engaged by a snap insert (152) onthe dividers (80) to more securely hold the dividers (80). The snapinsert (152) can be removably connected to the U-channel (154) bysnapping it into the U-channel (154) on the extrusion (23). TheU-channel (154) is preferably provided with a catch (156) that can gripa secondary catch (158) located on the snap insert (152). Thisembodiment of the divider panels (80) can be used either with or withoutthe bracket (12).

In another alternative embodiment, shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, a fourthpreferred extrusion (23′″) includes a means for retaining the extrusion(23′″) to the front face (15) of the bracket (12) adjacent a flat face(91). The front face (15) can be attached to the extrusion (23′″) by anyknown means, as discussed above. Again, however, the front face (15) ofthe bracket (12) is preferably attached to the flat face (91) in achannel formed by two face gripping elements (92). Informationaldisplays and/or other attachments (discussed below) may be attached tothe display front (95), as one to the plurality of connection members,by any known means. However, preferred is a channel formed adjacent thedisplay front (95) by two display gripping elements (96). In thisembodiment, additional information, or more in-depth information, can beplaced on the interior display front (97). As above, the information onthe interior display front (97) may be held in place by any known means,with a channel formed by two interior display gripping elements (94)being most preferred.

FIG. 12A shows the extrusion (23′″) in the “closed” position, and FIG.12B shows the extrusion (23′″) in the “open” position. In the openposition shown in FIG. 12B, the hinge (93) is open, thereby allowing aconsumer to view the additional or in-depth information located on theinterior display front (97). This embodiment of the extrusion (23′″)also is shown with a back flat face (98), preferably including a channelformed by two back gripping elements (99) for receiving additionalcooperative elements. For example, this back flat face (98) is usefulfor holding other types of display means, such as depicted in FIGS. 12Cand 12D.

FIG. 12C depicts the preferred embodiment of the extrusion (23′″) asshown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, with a merchandising prong (90) insertedinto the back flat face (98) and held in place via the two back grippingelements (99). These two back griping elements (99) may also be locatedon the bottom surface of the extrusion (23′″). The merchandising prong(90) preferably extends out from the front of the extrusion (23′″) byapproximately three inches, but any suitable length is envisioned, tohold products or information. For example, products such as, but notlimited to, paint brushes with holes in the handles can be hung fromthese merchandising prongs (90).

The merchandising prong (90) can be made of any suitable material,however, a rigid material such as metal or hard plastic is preferred.Similarly, the diameter of the merchandising prong (90) can varydepending on the type of product or information to be hung. In thepreferred embodiment, the merchandising prong (90) has some play, sothat it can wiggle back and forth to keep it from snapping off if acustomer inadvertently brushes against it.

FIG. 12D depicts the preferred embodiment of the extrusion (23′″) shownin FIGS. 12A and 12B with a blind hanger hook (90′) attached to the backflat face (98) and held in place in the channel formed by the two backgripping elements (99). This blind hanger hook (90′) can be used to holdvarious items, such as a take-one container with consumer informationalor promotional items.

While a hanging take-one container would be able to hang from the blindhanger hook (90′), other take-one items are envisioned as working withpreferred embodiment of the present invention. For example, a take oneitem could be placed into the front face of the extrusion (55 on FIG.6). A take one item could also be placed into the holding rack of theextrusion (58 on FIG. 6). A take one item could be placed into eitherthe top hook (54 on FIG. 6) or the bottom hook (57 on FIG. 6) of theextrusion (23). A take one item could also take the form of loose piecesof paper with a punched hole so that the take one item would fit over amerchandising prong (90 on FIG. 12C).

Another preferred embodiment of a cooperative element used with theextrusion (23) is a take one pocket (166) attached to various connectionmembers of the extrusion (23), shown in FIG. 13. The take one pocket(166) is attached to the extrusion (23) by inserting a top tab (163) ofthe take one pocket (166) into the top display gripping element (56) ofthe extrusion (23) and inserting a bottom tab (162) of the take onepocket (166) into a bottom hook (57) of the extrusion (23). The bottomtab (162) is preferably held in place in the bottom hook (57) viacooperating catches (57A and 162A) located on the bottom hook (57) andthe bottom tab (162), respectively. The take one pocket (166)cooperative element shown is also preferably provided with a front wall(160) and a back wall (164) that serve to keep brochures or otherinformation in place.

Of course, similar cooperative elements to that shown in FIG. 13 can beused for pad style information or coupon take ones, product mountingblocks, as further discussed below, and the like. For example, a similarcooperative element for holding a pad of coupons could be held on acomponent where, instead of forming a pocket, the cooperative elementonly has a back wall (164) to which the pad backing is attached.

As shown in FIG. 14, an extrusion (23) that has a bottom hook (103)(similar to 57, 67 or 77) can also be used to display a product using anextrusion component in the form of a mounting block (101) which may ormay not have a top tab (163) for insertion into the top gripping element(56) of the extrusion, depending on the strength needed to hold the itemmounted. In such embodiments, the mounting block (101) is preferablyfitted into the bottom hook (103) of the extrusion (23) via a mountinginsert (104). An item, such as a display product, can be secured to themounting block (101) by any known means, including twine, wire,adhesive, screws, bolts, bands, cable ties, magnets, etc., preferablyusing holes in the mounting block (101). For example, the mounting block(101) may have rectangular holes (105) and/or elliptical holes (106) asshown in FIG. 14 to aid in securing items to the mounting block (101).Larger or multiple mounting blocks (101) can be fitted into theextrusion (23) in order to display larger and/or heavier products.

If desired, the product that is secured to the mounting block (101) viathe elliptical hole (106) can be covered by a lens housing (102). Thelens housing (102) can be attached to the mounting block (101) byinserting snap inserts (108) on the lens housing (102) into rectangularholes (105) on the mounting block (101). The lens (107) of the lenshousing (102) can be made of any material suitable to allow the productto be viewed, with clear plastic being preferred for protection withoutbreakage. The lens housing (102) can be of any depth, height, or lengthto accommodate any particular product. In this regard, the lens housing(102) can be wider or narrower and taller or shorter than the width orheight of the mounting block (101) to cover different sized items.

Moreover, it is possible to simply place product or take ones itemsbetween the extrusion (23) and the mounting block (101) by resting theproduct or take ones items on the shelf created by the mounting insert(104). The type of product able to be placed on top of the mountinginsert (104) would obviously depend on the amount of distance betweenthe extrusion (23) and the mounting block (104), ceramic tiles being asuitable example of a potential product that can rest on the mountinginsert (104).

An additional cooperative element is shown in FIG. 15, comprising aproduct bin (111) that can be installed over the shelving associatedwith a shelving beam (11), which is to be attached to the extrusion(23). The product bin (111) is preferably attached to the extrusion (23)by inserting at least a portion of the front edge of the product bin(111) into the top hook (54, 64 or 74) of the extrusion (23). Theproduct bin (111) can be of any desired width, depth and height in orderto accommodate any suitable product. Moreover, a number of product bins(111) can be installed adjacent each other to keep product organized. Ofcourse, in keeping with the intent of the present invention, the productbin (111) can easily be snapped out of the extrusion (23) and moved asdesired.

The preferred bin walls (117) are designed with at least two tracks (118and 119) in order to allow the depth of the bin to be varied. In such anembodiment, the bin floor (112) may be removably attached to eithertrack (118 or 119). If the bin floor (112) is attached to the shallowtrack (118), then product will be forced towards the front of the binmore quickly than if the bin floor (112) is attached to the deep track(119). It is envisioned that any number of tracks can be used with theproduct bin (111).

The view front (113) of the product bin (111), whether being the bottomof the bin floor (112) or a separate member, is preferably clear inorder to allow customers to more easily view the product containedwithin the product bin (111). The bin floor (112) can be attached to thetracks (118 and 119) by any known method, however it is preferable thatfastening hooks (not shown) on the floor bin (112) be used to claspreceiving hooks (not shown) in the tracks (118 and 119). This allows foreasy conversion of the product bin (111) between shallow and deep.

Of course, the walls (117) of the product bin (111) can be attached tothe connection members of the extrusion (23) in any suitable manner, andpreferably in a manner similar to that in which the divider panels (80)shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C are attached.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 16, a side-mounted sign (120) canbe installed on preexisting shelving, or, as shown in FIGS. 12A-12D, itcan be a cooperative element for attachment to the extrusion (23). Thepreferred side-mounted sign (120) utilizes an upper peg (124) and alower peg (125) for removable engagement with the shelving or theextrusion (23). For example, the upper peg (124) may be fitted into theupper back gripping element (122), and the lower peg (125) fitted intothe lower back gripping element (123). The width of the upper and lowerpegs (124, 125) conforms to the gripping elements (122 and 123) of theextrusion (23) and can be of any length, as long as it is sufficient tosupport the desired sign.

In an additional embodiment, shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, is a verticalcolumn fixture (135) to be fixed to preexisting shelving (130) at avertical support column (133) that intersects with the horizontalshelving beam (11) at intersection points (132). The front of thevertical support column (133) of preexisting shelving is known to havemany holes (134) that are used for supporting the beams (11) and/orhanging products, however, this can cause inefficient use of space. Thepreferred vertical column fixture (135) of the present invention usesthe vertical support column (133) more efficiently.

As shown in FIGS. 17B and 17C, the preferred vertical column fixture(135) has a front face (140) that is parallel to the front of thevertical support column (133) and two angled faces (141) that are notparallel to the front of the vertical support column (133). The verticalcolumn fixture (135) is preferably attached to the vertical supportcolumn (133) by inserting the two upper hooks (138, only one shown) andtwo lower hooks (139, only one shown) into the holes (134) of thevertical support column (133). The vertical column fixture (135) can beany desirable height, and it can be placed at any suitable locationalong the vertical support column (133).

Once the vertical column fixture (135) is installed into the verticalsupport column (133), then a prong (142), shown in FIG. 17D, is insertedinto the larger holes (136) and locked into place by threading it backthrough the rectangular holes (137). It is preferred that either the twoangled faces (141) or the front face (140) have prongs (142) inserted,but not both. A prong (142) need not be inserted into every large hole(136) available.

Due to the nature of how the prongs are inserted, there is some “give”in them so that if a customer accidentally upsets a prong, it will beable to adjust itself to the pre-upset position. Any suitable productcan be hung from the prongs (142) once they are installed, however, theweight of the product may be a concern. In the preferred embodiment,there is also provided an indicia space (147) that can be used, forexample, to advertise the price of the product hanging on the verticalcolumn fixture (135).

The prong (142) itself preferably has a neck (143) and a length ofapproximately three inches, however, any desired length can be used. Theprong (142) also preferably has a rounded tip (146) that points upwardin order to hold product more easily. The bottom point (145) of theprong (142) is the portion that is threaded back through the rectangularhole (137) in order to stabilize it. In between the neck (143) and thebottom point (145) is a curve (144). While a curve is a preferred shapefor the prong (142), any shape that can retain the prong (142) on thevertical column fixture (135) can be used, including, for example, aC-shaped prong.

The prong (142) can be made of any suitable material, however, a rigidmaterial such as metal or a hard plastic is most preferred. The verticalcolumn fixture (135) can also be made of any suitable material, however,heavy duty plastic is most preferred.

It is preferred that all of the above described elements be able to workin conjunction with each other, with the various elements describedconfigured in an mix and match fashion, to provide a display system withmaximum utility. For example, the vertical column fixture (135) may beused in conjunction with the bracket (12) and extrusion (23) in order tomaximize efficiency. Notwithstanding, it is envisioned that the elementscan be used as particularly described above or alone, as well.

Variations, modifications and changes to the preferred assembliesdescribed above will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All suchvariations, modifications and changes are intended to fall within thespirit and scope of the present invention, limited solely by theappended claims.

1. A shelving merchandising system for installation on preexistingIndustrial Rack or Gondola comprising an extrusion, wherein saidextrusion comprises an attachment member, a display front and aplurality of connection members for cooperative attachment of one ormore extrusion components.
 2. The shelving merchandising system of claim1 wherein the attachment member is taken from the group consisting ofwire, a cable tie, a strap, a belt, a screw, a bolt, a clamp, a push-ininsert, a clip, a snap, a channel, hook and loop fasteners, double sidedtape, an adhesive, a bracket, a magnet and combinations thereof.
 3. Theshelving merchandising system of claim 2 wherein the attachment memberis a bracket, said bracket comprising a back stabilizer, a frontstabilizer, a hole in a length and a shim, adapted such that at least aportion of said shim is received by said hole, said length connectingthe back stabilizer and the front face with the front stabilizerextending from the length adjacent the hole for attachment to a frontbeam of an Industrial Rack shelf.
 4. The shelving merchandising systemof claim 3 wherein the length is adapted to be oriented horizontallyalong a top of the beam and said front and back stabilizers extenddownwardly from said length at an angle of approximately 90° from saidlength.
 5. The shelving merchandising system of claim 2 wherein theattachment member is a bracket and the extrusion is removably attachedto the bracket by retention means taken from the group consisting of achannel for receiving a portion of the bracket, hook and loop fasteners,snaps, catches, clasps, hooks and corresponding receptacles andadhesives.
 6. The shelving merchandising system of claim 1 wherein theattachment member comprises a screw that passes through at least aportion of the extrusion into a shelf.
 7. The shelving merchandisingsystem of claim 6 wherein the extrusion further comprises a troughextending from the extrusion, the trough being adapted to receive ascrew and contact at least a portion of the shelf, wherein the screwpasses through the trough for attachment of the extrusion to the shelf.8. The shelving merchandising system of claim 2 wherein the bracket isintegrally formed with the extrusion.
 9. The shelving merchandisingsystem of claim 1 wherein at least one of the connection members istaken from the group consisting of channels, hooks, catches, clips,snaps, holes, slits, hook and loop fasteners, and combinations thereof.10. The shelving merchandising system of claim 9 comprising a hook at atop and a bottom of the extrusion, wherein the hooks are provided with acatch to secure one or more cooperating extrusion components on theextrusion.
 11. The shelving merchandising system of claim 1 wherein theone or more extrusion components are taken from the group consisting ofa display, a divider panel, a bin, a pocket, a mounting block, a lens, asecondary display front, a merchandising prong and combinations thereof.12. The shelving merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the extrusionfurther comprises a holding rack and a back lip.
 13. The shelvingmerchandising system of claim 1 wherein the extrusion further comprisesa hinge between the means for removable attachment to the front face ofthe bracket and the display front.
 14. The shelving merchandising systemof claim 8 wherein the extrusion further comprises a stop between themeans for removable attachment to the front face of the bracket and aninterior portion of the display front.
 15. The shelving merchandisingsystem of claim 1 wherein said display front comprises means forreceiving at least a portion of a display.
 16. The shelvingmerchandising system of claim 15 wherein the means for receiving atleast a portion of a display is take from the group consisting of achannel for receiving the display, hook and loop fasteners, snaps,catches, clasps, hooks and corresponding receptacles and adhesives. 17.The shelving merchandising system of claim 1 wherein the extrusionincludes a hinge upon which the display front is lifted and furthercomprises an interior display front for engagement of a second display.18. The shelving merchandising system of claim 17 wherein the interiordisplay front extends across the hinge upon which the display front islifted.
 19. The shelving merchandising system of claim 11 wherein thebin comprises at least two adjacent bin walls that are positionedperpendicular to said extrusion, said walls each being provided with oneor more tracks, and a bin floor adapted to be received within saidtracks on said adjacent bin walls.
 20. The shelving merchandising systemof claim 19 wherein said bin floor further comprises fastening hooks,said two or more tracks further comprise clasp receiving hooks, and saidbin floor is removably connected to said walls via a connection betweensaid fastening hooks and said clasp receiving hooks.
 21. A shelfmerchandising system for attachment to an existing shelf system, saidexisting shelf system comprising a shelf having one or more openings atthe lateral ends running parallel to a front edge of a shelf, comprisinga display element including a display body including a display area on afirst side of said display body and one or more pegs corresponding toopenings at the lateral ends of the shelf extending from an sideopposite said first side of said display body, wherein said displayelement is removably attached to a shelf by inserting said one or morepegs into said openings at said lateral ends of said shelf.
 22. A shelfmerchandising system for attachment to an existing shelf systemcomprising a vertical column fixture wherein said vertical columnfixture comprises a vertical shaft, said vertical shaft having a widthapproximately the same as a vertical support column of the existingshelf system and two side angled faces attached to said vertical shaftat converging angles of equal to or less than 90° and one or moresupport hooks located on the rear of said vertical shaft for removablymounting the vertical column fixture on a vertical support column. 23.The shelf merchandising system of claim 22 further comprising a frontface attached between said two side angled faces at an angle equal to orgreater than 90°, said front face being substantially parallel to saidpreexisting vertical support column.
 24. The shelf merchandising systemof claim 22 further comprising a plurality of holes on each of saidfaces for accepting merchandising prongs on which product may be hung.25. The shelf merchandising system of claim 22 further comprising aplurality of merchandising hooks on each of said faces for hangingproduct.
 26. The shelf merchandising system of claim 22 furthercomprising an indicia space for providing information.